Dataset Information

Pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify the clinical and radiologic features that should raise suspicion for the pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-I).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics of 5 newly diagnosed and 23 previously reported patients in whom the CAA-I imaging findings were initially interpreted as CNS neoplasms.

Results

Most cases (85%) occurred in patients >60 years old. The clinical characteristics at presentation included subacute cognitive decline (50%), confusion (32%), focal deficits (32%), seizures (25%), and headaches (21%). Brain MRI demonstrated infiltrative white matter lesions that exhibited a loco-regional mass effect without parenchymal enhancement (93%). In general, these findings were interpreted as low-grade glioma or lymphoma. Eighteen patients (64%) underwent a biopsy, which was nondiagnostic in 4 patients (14%), and 6 patients (21%) underwent a surgical resection. The primary reason for the misinterpretation of the imaging findings was the absence of T2*-weighted gradient recalled echo (T2*-GRE) sequences on initial imaging (89%). When subsequently performed (39%), the T2*-GRE sequences demonstrated multiple characteristic cortical and subcortical microhemorrhages in all cases. Perfusion MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which were performed on a subset of patients, indicated markedly reduced relative cerebral blood flow and a normal metabolic ratio.

Conclusion

The identification of one or several nonenhancing space-occupying lesions, especially in elderly patients presenting with cognitive impairment, should raise suspicion for the pseudotumoral presentation of CAA-I and lead to T2*-GRE sequences. Perfusion MRI and MRS appear to be useful techniques for the differential diagnosis of this entity.

SUBMITTER: Ronsin S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4782113 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation.

Ronsin Solène S Deiana Gianluca G Geraldo Ana Filipa AF Durand-Dubief Françoise F Thomas-Maisonneuve Laure L Formaglio Maïté M Desestret Virginie V Meyronet David D Nighoghossian Norbert N Berthezène Yves Y Honnorat Jérôme J Ducray François F

Neurology 20160205 10

<h4>Objective</h4>To identify the clinical and radiologic features that should raise suspicion for the pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-I).<h4>Methods</h4>We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics of 5 newly diagnosed and 23 previously reported patients in whom the CAA-I imaging findings were initially interpreted as CNS neoplasms.<h4>Results</h4>Most cases (85%) occurred in patients >60 years old. The clinical characteristics at presentat ...[more]

PMID: 26850981

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceCerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri), a distinct subtype of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, is characterized by an autoimmune reaction to cerebrovascular β-amyloid deposits. Outcomes and response to immunosuppressive therapy for CAA-ri are poorly understood.ObjectiveTo identify clinical, neuroimaging, laboratory, pathologic, or treatment-related associations with outcomes after an episode of CAA-ri.Design, setting, and participantsA retrospective cohort study of prospectively identified individuals who presented from July 3, 1998, to November 27, 2017, with a median follow-up of 2.7 years (interquartile range, 1.0-5.5 years). The study included 48 consecutive patients with CAA-ri meeting diagnostic criteria who had at least 1 disease episode and subsequent outcome data. No patients refused or were excluded.ExposuresPrespecified candidate variables were immunosuppressive therapies, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, magnetic resonance imaging findings of recent infarcts or contrast enhancement, and histopathologic evidence of vessel wall inflammation.Main outcomes and measuresClinical improvement and worsening were defined by persistent changes in signs or symptoms, radiographic improvement by decreased subcortical foci of T2 hyperintensity or T1 enhancement, and radiographic worsening by increased subcortical T2 hyperintensity, T1 enhancement, or infarcts. Disease recurrence was defined as new-onset clinical symptoms associated with new imaging findings.ResultsThe 48 individuals in the study included 29 women and had a mean (SD) age of 68.9 (9.9) years. Results of presenting magnetic resonance imaging revealed that 10 of 29 patients with CAA-ri (34%) had T1 contrast enhancement, 30 of 32 (94%) had subcortical T2 hyperintensity (22 of 30 [73%] asymmetric), 7 of 32 (22%) had acute or subacute punctate infarcts, and 27 of 31 (87%) had microbleeds. Immunosuppressive treatments after first episodes included corticosteroids (33 [69%]), cyclophosphamide (6 [13%]), and mycophenolate (2 [4%]); 14 patients (29%) received no treatment. Clinical improvement and radiographic improvement were each more likely in individuals treated with an immunosuppressive agent than with no treatment (clinical improvement: 32 of 34 [94%] vs 7 of 14 [50%]; odds ratio, 16.0; 95% CI, 2.72-94.1; radiographic improvement: 24 of 28 [86%] vs 4 of 14 [29%]; odds ratio, 15.0; 95% CI, 3.12-72.1). Recurrence was less likely if CAA-ri was treated with any immunosuppressant agent than not (9 of 34 [26%] vs 10 of 14 [71%]; hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.48). When controlling for treatment, no variables were associated with outcomes aside from an association between APOE ɛ4 and radiographic improvement (odds ratio, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.11-18.2).Conclusions and relevanceThese results from a relatively large series of patients with CAA-ri support the effectiveness of immunosuppressive treatment and suggest that early treatment may both improve the initial disease course and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. These results raise the possibility that early blunting of CAA-ri and the autoimmune response may have long-term benefits for the subsequent disease course.

Dataset Information

Pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Pseudotumoral presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation.

Similar Datasets

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